Fabric backed roll-up sign material and garment tapes

Abstract

A retroreflective sheeting includes a base layer that includes a thermoplastic polymer. A prism layer is positioned on the base layer. A fabric layer has a thermoplastic coating on a side of the fabric layer, wherein the thermoplastic coating faces the prism layer and wherein portions of the base layer, prism layer, thermoplastic coating, and fabric layer are attached to form a seal. A method for forming a retroreflective sheeting includes providing a base layer that includes a thermoplastic polymer with a prism layer positioned on the layer. A fabric layer having a thermoplastic coating on a side of the fabric layer is positioned with the thermoplastic coating facing the prism layer. A die is applied against the base layer and fabric layer in the presence of sufficient heat to cause the thermoplastic coating on the fabric and the base layer to attach portions of the base layer to the thermoplastic coating on the fabric layer, thereby forming a retroreflective structure.

1 . A retroreflective sheeting comprising, 
 a) a base layer that includes a thermoplastic polymer;    b) a prism layer positioned on said base layer;    c) a fabric layer having a thermoplastic coating on a side of said fabric layer, wherein said thermoplastic coating faces said prism layer and wherein portions of said base layer, prism layer, thermoplastic coating, and fabric layer are attached to form a seal.    
   
   
       2 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic coating includes a thermoplastic polyurethane.  
   
   
       3 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic coating includes a polyvinyl chloride.  
   
   
       4 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said fabric layer includes a fabric selected from the group consisting of nylon and polyester.  
   
   
       5 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic polymer includes polyvinyl chloride.  
   
   
       6 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said prism layer includes a polyacrylate.  
   
   
       7 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said prism layer includes a polyvinyl chloride.  
   
   
       8 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said prism layer and said base layer are formed of the same material.  
   
   
       9 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic coating on said fabric includes a thickness of about 0.8 mils.  
   
   
       10 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic coating includes a polyurethane having a melt temperature in the range of between about 180° F. and 200° F.  
   
   
       11 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic polymer includes a polymer with a melt temperature in the range of between about 180° F. and 200° F.  
   
   
       12 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said fabric layer includes thread having a size in the range of 70 and 210 deniers.  
   
   
       13 . The retroreflective structure of  claim 1  wherein said prism layer includes cube-corner prisms.  
   
   
       14 . A method for forming a retroreflective sheeting comprising: 
 a) providing a base layer that includes a thermoplastic polymer with a prism layer positioned on said layer;    b) positioning a fabric layer having a thermoplastic coating on a side of said fabric layer with said thermoplastic coating facing said prism layer;    c) applying a die against said base layer and fabric layer in the presence of sufficient heat to cause the thermoplastic coating on the fabric and the base layer to attach portions of the base layer to said thermoplastic coating on said fabric layer, thereby forming a retroreflective structure.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said thermoplastic coating includes a thermoplastic polyurethane.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said thermoplastic coating includes polyvinyl chloride.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said fabric layer includes a fabric selected from the group consisting of nylon and polyester.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said thermoplastic polymer includes polyvinyl chloride.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said base layer and thermoplastic coating are heated to a temperature in the range of between about 180° F. and 200° F.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the heat is provided by radio frequency heating.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said prism layer includes a polyacrylate.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said prism layer includes a polyvinyl chloride.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said prism layer and said base layer are formed of the same material.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said thermoplastic coating on said fabric includes a thickness of about 0.8 mils.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said thermoplastic coating includes a polyurethane having a melt temperature in the range of between about 180° F. and 200° F.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said thermoplastic polymer, includes a polymer with a melt temperature in the range of between about 180° F. and 200° F.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said fabric layer includes thread having a size in the range of 70 and 210 deniers.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said prism layer includes cube-corner prisms.  
   
   
       29 . A sign formed with a retroreflective sheeting of  claim 1.